arsenalgirl
Registered
Based on the recent package ( Open Water certification) my boyfriend and I took from Sunnycove, I would like to warn everyone out there not to use this dive school based in Singapore. and Paya Beach Resort ( Tioman)
1. Itinerary was not well planned and executed
There were several occurrences where the itinerary was changed at the last minute
· Pool lesson - We had provided ample notice (about 2 weeks) that we wanted the pool lesson conducted on Sun, 12 Oct, 0900-1400. Yet, we were informed at the very last minute, Sat, 11 Oct, that it was changed to Wed, 15 Oct, 1845 as there were no instructors.
· itinerary This was passed to us only on Fri, 17 Oct, the very day we were set to go for the trip
· Meeting point From the initial meet-up at Queenstown, it was changed from Tanjong Pagar
· Transport location and times were changed frequently especially the change/misinformed return ferry from Tioman. Due to SunnycoveÃÔ lack of efficient planning, we had to walk for an about an hour across the causeway with our luggage, despite being exhausted from the trip.
2. Pool lesson(s) were not conducted well (for Open Water Certification)
The instructors were not patient and in fact a little exasperated with me as I took a longer time (compared to the other 2 students) to complete all the tasks assigned during the 3 hour session. Thus, I scheduled another lesson the very next day (Thu, 16 Oct, 1830). To be better prepared, I checked if I could come down earlier and the name of the instructor giving the lesson. I was flatly refused.
3. Misrepresentation of information/Withholding of information
Most importantly of all, we were unhappy that Sunnycove decided not to be upfront with us on several issues including:
· Transport This was the biggest issue from the start to the end.
o Coach ride to Mersing From Tanjong Pagar, we literally had to squeeze in with about 10 people and luggage into a 7-seater van. Needless to say, there was hardly any breathing space left. if it was a short ride, we would have no issues. But this was a 3 hour ride to Mersing.
o Return Ferry from Tioman - Misinformed on the return ferry from Tioman to (?). Instead of the given 2pm, the ferry only came at 5pm . Besides wasting 3 hours waiting , we had to arrange for our own transport (a cab)as we had we missed our ride to the causeway (JB Woodlands) . Unfortunately, the cab driver was unable to enter to Singapore and we had to walk by foot to cross the border.
· Room arrangement
o My boyfriend and I were surprised that we had to share a room with a complete stranger, another student at the lodge for 2 nights. This was a real shock as we were not informed in any matter either verbally or via emails.
o Not informed of the room type we would be in we were misguided into thinking that we will be residing in one of the deluxe rooms at the resort. We ended staying in a lodge full of flies and a choked faucet.
4. Breakdown of cost
Although I had initially signed up for diving, I changed this to Non-diver as I was not feeling well and informed Sunnycove. I was told me that I shall go ahead as a non diver as I've paid the non refundable deposit of $100. The amount I was charged was $340.
This seems step as compared to other tours to Tioman ( Paya Beach Resort) which comes to a maximum of $160 maximum. Also, the lodge room which I shared with my 2 other people is RM$160 per night or SGD $22.41 per person Adding the one pool lesson which costs max SGD $60 ( the cost of the Discover Scuba Diving course as extracted from the sunnycove website). This would have only costs $220. Moreover, I had to rent my own snorkelling equipment when I snorkelled over at Tioman.
5. Terrible Customer Service
The resort had to have one of the worst customer service I had to contend with. From excitement for a new trip, it became exasperation when I was trying to get the itinerary. Matters just continued to get worse as I realized I had to stay in the lousiest resort IÃ×e been in my life with the clogged toilet, dirty room, unfriendly staff who refused to help me even though I asked for it.
Overall, it was the most horrid and unpleasant trip in my entire life.
6.Lastly, it has been more than 2 months and my boyfriend hasn't received his PADI open water certification and there have been no updates from SunnyCove as to when he'll get it.
Therefore, to all aspiring divers out there who are intending to get PADI certified, Please don't do it with Sunny Cove.
1. Itinerary was not well planned and executed
There were several occurrences where the itinerary was changed at the last minute
· Pool lesson - We had provided ample notice (about 2 weeks) that we wanted the pool lesson conducted on Sun, 12 Oct, 0900-1400. Yet, we were informed at the very last minute, Sat, 11 Oct, that it was changed to Wed, 15 Oct, 1845 as there were no instructors.
· itinerary This was passed to us only on Fri, 17 Oct, the very day we were set to go for the trip
· Meeting point From the initial meet-up at Queenstown, it was changed from Tanjong Pagar
· Transport location and times were changed frequently especially the change/misinformed return ferry from Tioman. Due to SunnycoveÃÔ lack of efficient planning, we had to walk for an about an hour across the causeway with our luggage, despite being exhausted from the trip.
2. Pool lesson(s) were not conducted well (for Open Water Certification)
The instructors were not patient and in fact a little exasperated with me as I took a longer time (compared to the other 2 students) to complete all the tasks assigned during the 3 hour session. Thus, I scheduled another lesson the very next day (Thu, 16 Oct, 1830). To be better prepared, I checked if I could come down earlier and the name of the instructor giving the lesson. I was flatly refused.
3. Misrepresentation of information/Withholding of information
Most importantly of all, we were unhappy that Sunnycove decided not to be upfront with us on several issues including:
· Transport This was the biggest issue from the start to the end.
o Coach ride to Mersing From Tanjong Pagar, we literally had to squeeze in with about 10 people and luggage into a 7-seater van. Needless to say, there was hardly any breathing space left. if it was a short ride, we would have no issues. But this was a 3 hour ride to Mersing.
o Return Ferry from Tioman - Misinformed on the return ferry from Tioman to (?). Instead of the given 2pm, the ferry only came at 5pm . Besides wasting 3 hours waiting , we had to arrange for our own transport (a cab)as we had we missed our ride to the causeway (JB Woodlands) . Unfortunately, the cab driver was unable to enter to Singapore and we had to walk by foot to cross the border.
· Room arrangement
o My boyfriend and I were surprised that we had to share a room with a complete stranger, another student at the lodge for 2 nights. This was a real shock as we were not informed in any matter either verbally or via emails.
o Not informed of the room type we would be in we were misguided into thinking that we will be residing in one of the deluxe rooms at the resort. We ended staying in a lodge full of flies and a choked faucet.
4. Breakdown of cost
Although I had initially signed up for diving, I changed this to Non-diver as I was not feeling well and informed Sunnycove. I was told me that I shall go ahead as a non diver as I've paid the non refundable deposit of $100. The amount I was charged was $340.
This seems step as compared to other tours to Tioman ( Paya Beach Resort) which comes to a maximum of $160 maximum. Also, the lodge room which I shared with my 2 other people is RM$160 per night or SGD $22.41 per person Adding the one pool lesson which costs max SGD $60 ( the cost of the Discover Scuba Diving course as extracted from the sunnycove website). This would have only costs $220. Moreover, I had to rent my own snorkelling equipment when I snorkelled over at Tioman.
5. Terrible Customer Service
The resort had to have one of the worst customer service I had to contend with. From excitement for a new trip, it became exasperation when I was trying to get the itinerary. Matters just continued to get worse as I realized I had to stay in the lousiest resort IÃ×e been in my life with the clogged toilet, dirty room, unfriendly staff who refused to help me even though I asked for it.
Overall, it was the most horrid and unpleasant trip in my entire life.
6.Lastly, it has been more than 2 months and my boyfriend hasn't received his PADI open water certification and there have been no updates from SunnyCove as to when he'll get it.
Therefore, to all aspiring divers out there who are intending to get PADI certified, Please don't do it with Sunny Cove.